Dance Crew: SoReal Cru is “feeling real good”

Things aren’t getting any easier for SoReal Cru now that they’re in the top five crews on America’s Best Dance Crew.

The expectation level is higher than ever, the members are dealing with newfound “fame” and many viewers still don’t think they’re extraordinary.

Here I continue my Wednesday discussion with SoReal Cru members Andrew Baterina, Jackie Lautchang and Brian Puspos. They talked about seeing ASIID leave the show and their new perspectives on the competition and the judges.

In their free time they’ve seen three movies: The Hulk, Wanted and Wall-E. And to answer the one fan question, from Michael Kim, who asked if they’ve been eating their vegetables…

Jackie Lautchang: (Laughing) I make sure I get something every time we’re out, but honestly everyone’s been ordering in to the hotel — a lot of wings and hamburgers.

How are practices going? Now you have group performances with other crews in addition to your own.

Andrew Baterina: (The “Rhythm Nation” number) created less time for us to practice, but at the same time there’s also more because there’s less teams now.

MTV

Andrew Baterina

We have a certain amount of time to practice (in the studio) a day. If we want to outside of that, we just find somewhere outside, in the hotel, and do it randomly. (Of course, everyone remembers their story of practicing in a Denny’s parking lot.)

The choreographers are real dope, they always help us. They don’t give us moves, but they’ll tell you “this or that might be better,” “that was kind of off” or “that looked good.” (Andrew said choreographers aren’t there constantly. The crews present them with a sort of rough draft of their routines and they offer tips then.)

Your crew’s MySpace page has the most friends, compared to the others. You seem to have a good fan base, but do you still go into each show thinking “this is it?”

Brian Puspos: It’s better to be prepared for the worse case scenario. We have to give it our all whether we’re in the bottom or top. (Now that we’re) top five, got to treat it like it. It’s crazy.

We’re happy, but we have to treat every performance like we’ll be in the bottom two. One mess up and, basically, you’re done. Game over.

Jackie: We have to do great all the time. We really, really have to be consistent.

Andrew: (Our success is because) we respond to our fans. People can be in the crowd and loud, but they’re not the ones voting. It’s all older kids yelling, and they’re not the ones staying up ’til 4 a.m. voting. If you just answer one of their messages (on Facebook, MySpace, etc.), we’re no longer just a team, they feel there’s more of a connection. If you ignore your fans…

How was it seeing ASIID leave, or any crew for that matter?

Jackie: I was pretty sad when Distorted X left. We didn’t really know them back home but once we were over here we pretty much hung out all the time. Next (emotionally) was ASIID. I, personally, would often sit with them, hung out with them. I was crying backstage. You don’t want to see anyone go, but I didn’t think it would be like this.

Andrew: It’s not like season one, where you had an idea (of who’d make it to the finals). Now you have no idea. All the groups have different styles, and they don’t suck at them. (Judge J.C. Chasez) said every week now is like a finale.

MTV

Brian Puspos

Brian: When ASIID left, it was a big downer for everyone. Can’t describe (how it was backstage). We’re like family.

What are your thought of the judges, going from fans of the show to competitors?

Brian: Lil Mama had a heart-to-heart with us, saying she knew we got off on the wrong foot (she once called Ailyn Isidro “alien”). She just said, “Y’all are really good, and our job is to tell you the truth and what we see.” She said she can go back and watch herself on air, what she said, and not know exactly what she said.

At first, not going to lie, I didn’t know about her, but she’s cool people. It’s all good.

Jackie:I wasn’t there when she talked to (us), but I heard what she said. Everything (the judges) have said has helped us. And we use that to try to get better each week.

What do you miss the most from back home, besides family? And will you be back in school in the fall?

Jackie: I guess my bed (laughing), I don’t know. I’m not sure (about school), if there’s an opportunity for us to go on tour. Doesn’t mean we’re not ever going back. School’s still important.

Once again, your very own SoReal Cru is now in the top five. Other than two internet rumors/TV listings, I’ve yet to find out what next week’s challenge is. I don’t know why they didn’t tease it in the episode, but so far I’ve heard that, like last season, they’ll each have unique props to incorporate in their routines. I’ve also heard they may be dancing with Jabbawockeez.

I definitely believe the former rumor, but I’m still kind of ticked at this idea of a Dance Crew tour that doesn’t stop at all in the Lone Star State. I’ll have more updates next week.